Principal's Post

Dear Parents,

At the beginning of Term 4 we were planning for alternative arrangements for VCAA Exams should we be impacted by the coronavirus, so to accomplish an uninterrupted exam programme is a great relief, shared with other colleges across the State.  

Next week we have a week of transition for students at all year levels. This will provide an insight into 2021 studies and for the senior students, the provision of tasks to complete over the holiday break in order to fast track their understanding of their VCE studies. Each year there are various reasons why some students exit the college. Arrangements have been made to ensure these students are included in the Transition Programme and have the opportunity to complete the year with their mates.

Recently the Strategic Plan was circulated to families highlighting a number of changes and proposed developments. Change is inevitable and is very exciting. Our team of Year Level Coordinators for 2021 highlights this point.

Year 12 Level Coordinator   Mr Robert Mann                              

Assistant Coordinator           Mr Nick Redfern

Year 11 Level Coordinator   Ms Anastasia Skourides                 

Assistant Coordinator           Ms Joanne Caird

Year 10 Level Coordinator   Ms Dayna Hale                                  

Assistant Coordinator           Mr Michael Miller

Year  9   Level Coordinator   Mr David May                                    

Assistant Coordinator           Mr Paul Harrup

Year  8   Level Coordinator   Mr Chris Lee                                       

Assistant Coordinator           Ms Ayesha Comerford

Year  7   Level Coordinator   Mr Jamie Davin                                 

Assistant Coordinator           Ms Cherrin Morrissey

While new faces appear at every year level the wealth of experience managing students exists. Both level coordinators and assistants have had experience meeting the wellbeing needs of students here at Mazenod and at other colleges. I would like to acknowledge the amazing contributions Mr Alan McAlister and Mrs Kaye Williamson have made to students in their roles as year level coordinators. Both Alan and Kaye will continue their service to the college in their respective classroom roles from 2021.

During Remote Learning the Mazenod College Film Club continued to operate, as it does every Friday evening, with a group of film enthusiasts led by Mr Shaun Akkermans. Year 11 student Kieran Rahilly has been instrumental in promoting this club and its activities. The group has been honoured at the Focus on Ability Film Festival in 2018 with a film directed by Kieran. At the moment Kieran’s involvement has been hindered by his battle with serious illness. His mates in Film Club and those in the broader community are continuing to pray for him.

The Film Club is delighted to announce the nomination of two films in “Create while you Hibernate” Festival produced by Orlando Perri and Aditya Krishna-Moorthy. Please refer to Mrs Anne Johnson’s article in the newsletter to access more details.

This week the Year 9 students participated in the MANCAVE programme. The programme is designed to explore healthy masculinity, positive mental health, respectful relationships and gender equality. The organization recognises that many young men can feel socially disconnected and can often lack secure relationships beyond the family, particularly when they leave school. The feedback from parents, students and staff was extraordinary. Ms Skourides and Ms Seremetis championed the programme and persisted with its introduction despite several postponed dates. When asked about the programme the students found it engaging, real, fun, useful and inspiring. Students were challenged to own their emotions and develop strategies for better communication. A programme destined to be implanted into future calendars.

The College has received notification of funding and support for tutoring. The scheduled testing of students replacing exams for the younger students was to recognise the importance of returning to face to face teaching and regular classroom dynamics, but was also to monitor any deficiencies that eventuated as a consequence of Remote Learning. We were already arranging analysis of the data and considering ways of responding to any potential deficiencies. The funding will enable added resources and a more comprehensive response that will focus on opportunities for all students, particularly those who missed key concepts during lockdown. The funding is a welcome and greatly appreciated initiative. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr Tony Coghlan

Principal